Terminal Clock Synchronization with Multiple Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face challenges in synchronizing a terminal's clock with multiple clock domains using an access network device, as existing methods are inadequate for handling multiple clock sources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for clock synchronization between a terminal and multiple clock sources, where the terminal receives information about multiple clock domains from an access network device, determines associated clock domains, and performs synchronization based on this information, including timing advance measurements to adjust for transmission delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal performs clock synchronization with only one clock source, then the synchronization process is simple, but the terminal cannot be associated with multiple clock domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clock synchronization process by introducing a session management network element that independently manages clock domain associations. The terminal's clock synchronization is divided into multiple sessions, each corresponding to a specific clock domain, allowing the terminal to associate with multiple clock domains while maintaining organized and manageable synchronization processes for each domain separately
Solution Approach 2:
The session management network element acts as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple clock sources. It receives clock domain numbers from the terminal, determines the appropriate clock domains, and coordinates the synchronization process, thereby simplifying the terminal's interaction with multiple clock domains while enabling multi-domain association
2Loss of information
If the access network device sends detailed information about all N clock domains, then the terminal can make informed synchronization decisions, but the information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential clock domain information needed for synchronization decisions. Instead of transmitting all detailed parameters of N clock domains, the system extracts and transmits specifically the clock domain numbers and essential synchronization parameters, reducing information overhead while maintaining the completeness of critical synchronization data
Solution Approach 2:
The access network device performs preliminary processing of clock domain information before transmission to the terminal. It pre-configures and organizes clock domain numbers and essential parameters, so that when the terminal requests clock domain information, the data is already filtered and prepared, reducing the amount of information that needs to be transmitted while ensuring the terminal receives all necessary synchronization data
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for clock synchronization are provided. In one aspect, a clock synchronization method includes: receiving, by a terminal and from an access network device, information about N clock domains, determining, by the terminal, M clock domains that are associated with the terminal and that are in the N clock domains, and separately performing, by the terminal, clock synchronization with clock sources of the M clock domains based on information about the M clock domains. Information about a clock domain includes first time information and a clock domain number of the clock domain. The first time information includes a time of a clock source of the clock domain when the access network device sends the information about the clock domain. The clock domain number identifies the clock domain. N is an integer greater than 1, and M is an integer greater than 1.